Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections among Food Handlers in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections remain an important public health problem in the tropics where poor hygiene and sanitation are a norm rather than an exception.  Food handlers play a significant role in the transmission of these parasites to consumers. The objective of this cross sectional study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of single and multiple species of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers working in Eldoret Municipality between May to December 2007.  Stool samples from 335 food handlers of both sexes, aged between 16 and 58 years were analyzed using macroscopic and microscopic direct stool examination of wet and Lugol’s iodine preparations and Formal-Ether concentration techniques. Positive fecal samples were found in 79 (23.7%) food handlers. The results indicated that there was presence of intestinal protozoans and helminthes among food handlers with protozoans being the majority, infecting 14.1% food handlers and consisting of E. histolytica (7.2%), E. coli (5.7%) and G. lamblia (1.2%). The overall prevalence of helminthes was 6.6% in the order of T. saginata (2.4%), A. duodenale (2.1%), A. lumbricoides (1.5%), and H. nana (0.6%). Among the species of protozoans and helminthes, the genus Entamoeba had significantly (p < 0.05) the highest prevalence than all the others. High prevalence of the intestinal parasitic infections was recorded among the food handlers working in butcheries (51.0%), Supermarkets (31.6%) and slaughterhouses (30.3%). Temporal variation in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was significant (p < 0.05) with prevalence of intestinal protozoans and T. saginata being the highest during the rainy period. The results of this study indicated improper hygiene and sanitation conditions. Interventions were therefore needed to address the root behavioural and occupational related causes of these parasitic infections to reduce the intolerable burden caused by these parasites. There is need to increase awareness of the food handlers and the responsible officials in various food establishments on the importance of personal hygiene and pre-employment and periodic stool examination for ova and cysts of the parasites to curtail transmission.

Keywords: Intestinal parasites, prevalence, food handlers, Eldoret Municipality